Warmer weather, longer days and new growth are just a few of the reasons why people love spring. It’s the time of year when Canadians start to spend more time outdoors, often enjoying the green spaces in our local neighbourhoods. Public parks and private yards add to the beauty of urban landscapes, encourage biodiversity and contribute to healthy communities.

“There are many surprising benefits to green spaces in urban areas,” explains Karen Stephenson, director of regulatory affairs and stakeholder relations at Scotts Canada Ltd, a Canadian leader in the lawn and garden care industry. “Healthy green spaces are not only a place to gather with family and friends, but they have also been shown to provide numerous social, health and environmental benefits.”

Well-cared-for green spaces in urban centres reduce vandalism, increase property value and boost physical and mental health. Urban green spaces also contribute positively to the environment by filtering rainwater and capturing pollutants in the air. However, they require care to thrive, including protection from pests like insects, weeds and diseases.

Pesticides help protect lawns, sport fields and gardens by keeping weeds and other pests under control. Pest control products can also diminish allergy-causing pollens and control harmful weeds that may pose a threat to children and pets.

Whether used for agriculture or urban lawns and gardens, pesticides are rigorously tested to meet high standards of health and environmental safety set by Health Canada.

“Canada has some of the best regulation and legislation related to the evaluation of pesticides,” says Stephenson. “Many regulatory agencies around the world look closely at pesticides to ensure they are safe for use. There’s a lot of science to support the safety of these products.”

credit – newscanada